The rise in cases of sexual violence, mental health issues, and organizational problems within the Faculty of Engineering at Diponegoro University (UNDIP) has prompted its students to establish Ruang Bicara. It is a safe and effective complaint service platform designed for Faculty of Engineering students to address these issues.
Alya Tsabita, the Vice Chair of Ruang Bicara, explained that as a complaint service, Ruang Bicara not only accommodates student complaints but also focuses on providing protection and support to victims.
“Our main goal in forming Ruang Bicara is to provide a safe space for victims to report their issues. The services offered by Ruang Bicara include counseling and support for survivors of sexual violence, as well as assistance for those dealing with mental health issues and organizational problems,” “Alya explained.
In carrying out its functions, Ruang Bicara collaborates with the Student Counseling Agency (Badan Konseling Mahasiswa / BKM) at the Faculty of Engineering UNDIP, ensuring that every complaint is handled with focused attention within the Faculty.
Currently, Ruang Bicara has 22 members divided into several divisions, including Counseling and Public Relations, Media, and Project Management. With this structure, Ruang Bicara can handle complaints with good coordination, following established standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The complaint handling procedure at Ruang Bicara is conducted systematically. Every complaint received, whether related to sexual violence, mental health, or organizational issues, is processed according to a pre-determined flow.
“victims can receive up to three counseling sessions with the BKM of the Faculty of Engineering team, and if necessary, they will be referred to more specialized mental health services. In cases requiring attention from the university or other authorities, Ruang Bicara is always ready to coordinate to ensure the case is handled in accordance with applicable laws and policies,” “Alya said.
Alya also explained that maintaining the confidentiality and security of survivors’ information is the biggest challenge they face.
“Confidentiality is our top priority. Only relevant parties who have received consent from the victim can access the information,” she emphasized.
Ruang Bicara actively evaluates the effectiveness of its services through feedback from survivors and relevant parties. It also makes various efforts to raise student awareness about the services available. Outreach and seminars are part of Ruang Bicara’s programs to reach more students.
“In the future, we are committed to utilizing technology to improve the efficiency and security of complaint handling, including through digital platforms such as OA Line and the official Ruang Bicara website,” Alya said.
Ruang Bicara is expected to become a reliable complaint service for all Faculty of Engineering UNDIP students, providing support and assistance on issues related to sexual violence, mental health problems, and organizational issues.
(Source: Faculty of Engineering UNDIP’s Website)
